KENNEBUNK — Richard “Dick” Bibber greeted people as they walked into the West Kennebunk Fire Station for a first responder lunch on Saturday, thanking them for their service to the community.

Bibber, 79, who served the town for many years as an EMT and as a deputy fire chief, wanted to acknowledge the work the first responders do for the community, and he held the free lunch for first responders in honor of the 80th birthday of his family’s funeral home business, Bibber Memorial Chapel.

“It’s a long time serving the community. The people here have been awfully good to us,” he said. “These folks today, they’re really something.”

Thanks to the help of local Rotary Clubs and a number of local businesses, there was a generous spread of food.

Bibber, who seemed to know most, if not everyone, at the lunch, took a break for a few moments to talk about his career.

Bibber’s father, Earl, started the business in 1938, the year before Dick was born. The funeral home building also served as the family’s home, and the business has been part of Dick’s life for as long as he can remember.

“When you’re born into a funeral home family, you start to work as soon as you can walk and answer the phone,” he said.

The family started the business in Kennebunkport, and today has locations in Kennebunk, Wells and Berwick.

Life in a funeral home was different from life in the average household. When the funeral parlor was in use, the television was often shut off so as not to be a distraction, and care was taken in what was cooked in the kitchen so smells wouldn’t permeate through the whole building.

“People walk in all the time. It’s a 24 hour, seven day a week profession,” said Bibber.

He recalls the early days, when he would have to tell people where he was going if he left to go on an errand, so people could chase him down if they needed him.

“Then the pagers came along, and that was something. Now there are cell phones, that’s fantastic,” he said.

The Bibber family also ran the local ambulance service for about 40 years, and for many years used a “combination car” that served as both a hearst and an ambulance. When they handed over the ambulance service to the local municipal government, they donated their ambulance and equipment to the town of Kennebunkport in 1979.

With Bibber on Saturday were his wife, Patricia, who serves as the treasurer and secretary of the business, and his son Douglas who is the funeral director. His other son, Edward, the business’ vice president, was not present as he was out on a call.

Dick and his family said it’s been an honor to serve the community for so many years.

“We have a saying, grief shared is grief diminished,” said Dick.

People put a lot of trust in them at what is the most difficult time of their lives, said Dick, and Douglas agreed.

“It’s pretty special to be given that confidence,” said Douglas.

Kennebunk Police Chief Robert McKenzie, who grew up locally, said he’s known Dick Bibber almost his whole life.

“He’s just a nice, nice, man,” said McKenzie. He said the Bibber family were well-respected as business owners and also did a lot for the community.

McKenzie’s said the family’s character was evident in the lunch they hosted.

“I very much appreciate being appreciated,” he said.

Ed Smith, retired as the Ogunquit fire chief in 2012, and now works part-time for Bibber Memorial Chapel and said the Bibber family is not only very community minded, but they treat their employees very well.

“They’re great to work for,” he said.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].